The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-04-14

fisheries dispute, and suggesting that
the Retsliatory act passed by Congress
would in their opinion be sufficiently
executed if the proposed retaliation
was confined TO the closing of the
United States markets to Canadian fish
products, he has made the following
answer:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WAsHINGTON,E April z.
George Steele, ESQ.,, President Amer
lean Fisheries Union, and others,
Gloucester, Mass: Gentlemen have
received your letter lately addressed to
me, and have given full consideration
to the expression of the views and
wishes therein contained. In relation
to the existing differences between the
Government of Great Britain and the
United States, growing out of the re-
fuSal to award To our citizens engaged
in the fishing enterprise the private
gain to which they are entitled either
under treaty stipulations or the
guarantees of international comfy and
neighbOrly concession, sincerely trust
the apprehension you express of unjust
and untriendly treatment of American
fishermen lawfully found in Canadian
waters will not be realized, but if such
apprehension should prove to be well
founded, / earnestly hope that no fault
or incOnsiderate action of any of our
citizens will in the least weaken
the just position OF the Government
or deprive US OF the universal
sympathy and support to which we
should be entitled. The action Of this
administration since June, 1885, when
1871 were terminated under the no
LITIGATION which had two years before
been given by our government, has
been fully disclosed by the correspond
ence between the representatives and
the appropriate departments of the
respective governments, with which,
am appraised by you letter, you are
entirely familiar. An examination of
this correspondence has doubles sat
haVs { the 'r nights or n privil esss
OF American fishermen been
overlooked or neglected, but that on
the contrary they have been sedulously
insisted upon and cared for by every
means within the control of the execu-
tive branch of the Government. The
act OF Congress approved March 8, 1887,
authorizing a course of retaliation
through executive action in the event
Of continuance on the part of the
British American authorities of I'M
friendly conduct and treaty violations
affecting American fishermen, has de-
volved upon the President of
the United States exceedingly
grave and solemn responsibilities.
Comprehending the highly important
consequences to our National character
and dignity and involving extremely
valuable commercial intercourse be-
tween the British possessions of North
America, and Sic people of the United
Stntaa II nU1aVqfon tho
of your letter is to suggest that in case
recourse to the retaliatory measures,
authorized by this act should be invited
by unjust treatment of our fisherman
in the future, the object Of such re-
taliatiOn might be fully accomplished
by prohibiting Canada caught fish from
entry into the ports of the United
States. The existing controversy is
one i'll which two nations are
tion contemplated by the act of
Congress is To he enforced not to pro-
tect solely any particular interest, how
ever meritorious or valuable, but to
maintain the national honor and thus
protect all our people. In this view the
violation of American fishery rights
and unjust or unfriendly acts towards
a portion Of our citizens engaged in
this business is but the occasion for
dCIlOl a
affront which gives birth to or may
justify retaliation. This measure once
resorted TO it's effectiveness and
value may well depend up
ON the thoroughness and extent of
its application and in the
performance of international duties,
the enforcement of international rights
and the protection of our citizens, this
Government and the people of the
United States must act as unit, all
intent upon attaining the best result of
retaliation upon the basis of a main.
tenance of national honor and duty
A nation seeking by any means t.
maintain its honor, dignity and integ.
rity is engaged in protecting the rights
of its people, and If in
such effort, particular interests are in
jured and special advantages forfeited
these things should be patriotically
borne for the public good. An immense
volume of population manufactures
and agricultural productions, and the
marine tonnage and railways to which
these have given activity, are largely
the result of intercourse between the
United States and British America.
and the natural growth of q full hall
century of good neighborhod and friend
ly communication from an aggre
gate Of material wealth and incidental
relations Of most impressive magnitude
fully appreciate these things and not
unmindful Of the great number of ouI
people who are concerned in such vast
and diversified interest, in the perform
ance Of the serious duty which thu
Congress has imposed upon me and il
the exercise, upon just occasion, of the
power conferred under the act referred
TO, shall feel myself bound to INFECT
no unnecessary damage or injury
upon upon. any . portion Of oul
iiinchingly guided by a sense of what
the safe respect and dignity of the
nations demands. In the mainten
ance of these and in the support of the
honor of the government beneath
which every citizen may repOse il
safety, no sacrifice of personal O.
private interests shall be considered a!
against the general welfare. Your
very truly. GROVER CLEVELAND.
OUR NEW WAR VESSELS.
WASHINGTON, April 6.-The Score
tary Of the Navy to-day invited scale,
proposals from the ship builders of tn,
United States for building FIVE new
war vessels. The first of those vessel
for the construction of which bids ar
solicited is the Newark, a 1000 tor
cruiser, authorized to be built by tn
act Of March 8, 1887. Proposals wer
invited for this vessel last year, but tn
lowest bid exceeded the limit of tn
cost, 81 100 600, named in the act, a
its last session Congress increase,
this limit to 81 800. 900. Pro
pOsals for the construction of Ihi
cruiser will be received from all Amer
can ship builders whose ship wards ar
fully equipped for building or repairin
iron or steel steamships, and construC
tors of marine engines and MACHINERY
Next named in the advertisement al
cruisers Nos. 4 and 5. Provision "a
their construction is made In the Nav;
Appropriation Bill, which will 90 int
effect next July. All of their parts aI
required to be of domestic manufactul
and the contractor is required to qua
antee in their case a maximum speF
OF nineteen knots an hour. For eve
quarter knot of speed exhibited aboV
that guarantee the contract.
is to receive a premium
CSC, 900 over his contract price, and f
every quarter-knot deficiency in spe,
S50, 900 is to be deducted from the co
tract price. The conditions of the te
are to be prescribed by the department
In addition fn tho xroooaI v,aroa.l -